329 



IBIS COMATA. 



(RED-CHEEKED IBIS.) 



Ibis comata, Ehr. in Mus. Berol. 



Geronticus, spec. nov. ex Aegypto, Wagler, Isis, 1832, p. 1232. 



"Ibis comata, Ehr.," Riipp. Syst. Uebers. taf. 45 (1845). 



Geronticus comatus (Ehr.), Riipp. op. cit. p. 122 (1845). 



Comatibus, Reichenb. (Ibis comata, Ehr.), Av. Syst. Nat. p. 26 (1849). 



Ibis calvus, Levaill. jun. Expl. Scient. de lAlgerie, pi. 12 (1850, nee Bodd.). 



Figurce notabiles. 

 Riipp. /. c. ; Levaill. jun. I. c. 



Ad. capite, gula et gutture medio nudis incarnato-rubris, pileo nigro : cervicis et colli plumis elongatis, 

 acuminatis, nigris viridi nitentibus : corpore supra et subtus, alis et cauda nigricantibus, seneo-viridi 

 nitentibus : tectricibus alarum minoribus chalybeo-purpureis : rostro et pedibus saturate incarnatis : 

 iride rufescenti-aurantiacsL 



Adult Male (Euphrates, 20th February) . Plumage generally dark metallic coppery green or bottle-green ; 

 crown black ; head and throat bare ; feathers on the neck elongated, pointed, and forming a sort of ruff; 

 lesser wing-coverts rich coppery purple ; bill, naked throat, and head dull blood-red ; legs dull blood- 

 red; iris fiery red. Total length about 24 inches, culmen 5 - 2, wing 16 - 7, tail 8 - 5, tarsus 30. The 

 tail-feathers of this species are rather peculiarly formed, having the tips abruptly acuminate. 



Young (fide v. Heugl. Vog. N.O.-Afr. ii. p. 1144). Much duller in coloration of plumage; the elongated 

 feathers on the hind neck are wanting ; and the head and neck are feathered with dirty-white feathers 

 tinged with dull rust-colour, and here and there marked with brown. 



The range of this peculiar Ibis is somewhat restricted ; for it inhabits only North Africa, ranging 

 into the Euphrates valley in Asia Minor, where it was lately discovered by Mr. C. G. Danford. 

 This gentleman sends me the following notes : — " It was while staying at Biledjik that we made 

 the unexpected acquaintance of the Red-cheeked Ibis, identifying with it a mysterious migratory 

 bird, of which many diverse descriptions had been given us, and which came every one knew 

 when, but no one could tell whence. 



" Biledjik is picturesquely built on the high chalky slopes of the Mesopotamian side of the 

 Euphrates, its castle standing on a long detached rock near the river-side at the north end of the 

 city. It was the ledges of this rock, and those of some cliffs above the other extremity of the 

 town, which were said to be the roosting- and breeding-places of the birds in question; and 

 abundant traces vouched for the truth of the statement. 



" Ibis comata is a very early and regular migrant — the arrival of the first pair having taken 

 place in February, on the day predicted by the natives. Two days after, a larger body made their 



